Steelers Release G Willie Colon With Post June 1st Designation

The long awaited deed is finally done as it is now being reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers have released guard Willie Colon with a post June 1st designation.

Colon was originally drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Hofstra University and originally played right tackle until he was moved to left guard last off-season.

Colon was a picture of health for his first four seasons with the Steelers, but once the injury bug bit, it did not let go. Colon tore his Achilles prior to the 2010 season and it landed him on injured reserve for the year. The Steelers still had faith in him as they gave him a five-year $29 million contract prior to the start of the 2011 season. He lasted all of one game that season, however, as he tore his triceps in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens and was once again out for the year after being placed on injured reserve.

Last off-season Colon made the move to left guard, and outside of some early season holding calls, he played well. He went down with a knee injury in the first meeting against the Ravens after being submarined by outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and never really recovered. His knee finally gave way a few weeks later against the San Diego Chargers and he landed on the Steelers injured reserve list for a third straight season as a result.

The release of Colon will not save the Steelers any cap money in 2013 until June 2nd. At that time they will save $5.5 million of cap space, but will also incur a $4.3 million dead money hit in 2014 as a result.

Ok so this means the rest of our money now can be used on Lewis’ contract for 2013? I’d like to think so.

Pete

So they save 5.5 mil in cap this year and also his salary which would’ve been around 5 mil? So they’re saving around 10 mil this year by releasing him? I know we have yet to get through FA and the draft but I’m not getting a good feeling about the coming season.

steeltown

The $5.5MIL in cap savings derives from his salary… its a total of $5.5MIL

$4+MIL in dead money next season

walter mason

the deed is done…

steeltown

Why are you not getting a good feeling, if you dont mind me asking?

The Ravens are dismantling their Team. We’re picking in the middle of the 1st Rd. We are entering training camp relatively healthy (except Miller) as opposed to years past when we had multiple players recovering from serious injury heading into the season.. and we made some very solid coaching acquisitions

I’m just hoping for a solid draft

hergieburbur

The rampant penalties always put an artificial ceiling on his play though.

hergieburbur

The draft is the key. We have a lot of needs and it is critical to have a good draft this year.

Reg Sayhitodabadguy Hunt

How much money do we currently have to spend for lewis or any other free agen at this time cuz I would hope they use colons money on the draft picks

steeltown

Well im not sure what we gave to Gradkowski, but I bet his initial cap hit is very low.. so, my guess is in regards to 2013 cap we probably have $2-3MIL left to spend. That sounds like very little, but the first year of the Lewis contract could have a low low base salary with a good guaranteed signing bonus (the bonus would be prorated) so I think the $3MIL we have in cap could be enough initially.. then of course ’14 and ’15 and beyond his base salary would be significantly higher

Of course if another Team overspends, they could easily get him to jump ship

Maurice_hill_district

Good that they didnt wait til June 1 to declare it, announcing it ahead if time is fairer to Willie, givs him more time for other teams to interview him.

LucasY59

I’m guessing that it’s kinda hard to figure untill after this season, but with all the restructures and cuts that push money to 2014 what does the salary cap look like for the Steelers in 2014?